The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-01-05
4 Christmas Guest.

and bore name OF honor in the
" times that tried mems souls" In
later years her glory had much declined.
Yet her people lived on in their own
way, which, old-fashioned though it
seemed, was grounded upon respecta-
bility as firm as the granite lodges be-
meath the SOIL
Now Stonehaven was a gay summer
resort that within ten years had bloomed
into life upon the Point" whose
curve made a rugged breakwater, de-
Tending the harbor. Upon the highest
ground stood, all a-futter with flags
and awnings, the hotel, upon which
had been bestowed an Indian name,
the longest obtainable anywhere. Far
out at sea the great ships went by, and
nearer little craft were flocking about
the pretty lighthouses. Graceful yachts
dipped their colors in salute to fair
watchers on the balconies of New
Stonehaven or furled their white wings
nearer the sunny shore. Not an inch
of good soil was on the Point, but many
loads of earth had been brought thither,
and all about the cottages beds of coleus
and geraniums blazed through their
brief summertime of splendor.
But later, when the wild asters were
sprinkling the roadside with white,
foreboding the deathly frost that was
near, when old StOnehaven was settling
down to a coy winter by her sheltered
firesides-then the nomad population
of the Point departed, and stood not on
the order of its going. One solitary
man lived at the hotel during the win
ter, hired to remain there as a guardian
IF fha ,{ He
like existence, in seclusion if not in
itor, and the Neck" was often under
water for days together.
Hither came one autum John Ellis
ton, hunted to this retreat by bitter
sorrow. His boy, the one solace of
bereaved heart, was dead. There had
been day of merry play, of " mods
and becks and wreathed SMILES" as if
the child had never been so happy be-
fore. On the next morning the sweet
eyes had filled with tears and turned
away at the sound of his fathers voice,
and before night-fall there was no more
recognition. Only the battle with the
terrible fever, until the fierce beating
of the little heart was still-in the
peace of death. 1t was an old story
told over again, g thus his father wept
for him." How could the father live
in the house where all reminded him
of his boy? How could he walk the
familiar streets, and see the children
playing, careless and happy? And the
holidays-time now most dreaded Of
all-were coming. How could he re-
turn the joyous greetings of Christmas
morning now that the sweetest voice he
had known was silent?
Elliston learned accidentally that a
person was wanted to stay at Stone
haven Point during the winter, and a
strange caprice mastered him. He
would be that lonely watcher by the
gray sea. The more desolate the sur
roundings the better suited they were
to one who wished to be alone with
sorrow. Elliston realized his wish and
to room in the hotel, facing seward
brought his relics of little Roland
which he had not the heart to leave be-
hind. One living creature accom-
panied him. 1t was noble collie dog
that the child had loved. He had his
books for society. Their silent COM
panionship could not disturb his vigil
of grief. That he was beyond the
sight of human faces he counted as a
gain. Life was monstrous as the leaden
sky above and the wintry waves below.
In mid-December a furious storm
came on. For nearly week it ragged,
and then there was a gradual subsid
of treacherous calm there was another
tempest, but of short duration. Then
came a morning when sea and sky
81, hn,, ATn1,n I,J
said: " Behold, create new heavens
and new earth" John Elliston, as
he took his familiar walk along the
shore, could not help feeling the up
lifting influences of sun and sky. The
wintry tides were still sweeping ovel
the neck, and drifting about were
many fragments of waste and wreck
age that the storm had left. FL
liston's dog had run on before and wa,
barking, greatly excited, at some OBJ
ject he had found.
1t proved to be the form of a child
wrapped in many folds of heavy cloth
ing and firmly lashed to plank
This had ioated ashore at the head o
little cove newly made by the waves
1t was death-like face that Ellistol
pressed against his own, as he hastenet
by the shortest path to the house. Ye
there was life in the tiny creature
Warmth and care had come just il
time, for it was not long before tn
child, girl of four or five years
opened pair of dark eyes, with
quiet, absent gaze. She obedientl
swallowed few tea-spoonfuls of noun
ishment, then slept again. Strange
seemed to Elliston that this littl
homeless being, having rocked to slice
in so rough a cradle, should after 81
many perils be awakened to life an
strength again by such simple mean
as he could use, while for his ow
cherished darling no skill or care ha
availed.
Yet to-day, in the lonely apartment
overlooking the sea, the short winte
afternoon closed less gloomily tina
usual. There was new look of com
fort, little home-like air of confusio
about the room. Beside the fire hun
little knitted hood and a cloak an
gown of scarlet cloth. A pair of small
stout shoes stood confidently by, as
their owner were sure to need ther